This topic is about finding healthy smoothie recipes that provide essential nutrients for someone who has had an ileostomy. After the surgery, the person can eat most foods but is cautious about raw fruits and vegetables due to concerns about blockages. They are looking for smoothie ideas that are nutrient-rich, not focused on weight loss or detox, and they miss eating foods like Honeycrisp apples. Here are some helpful tips and ideas:

- Blenders & Recipe Sources
- NutriBullet and Ninja blenders come with recipe books, and you can find more free recipes on their websites.
- Blendtec offers around 1,000 smoothie recipes online and is favored by some for its powerful blending capabilities.
- Feel free to customize any smoothie recipe to suit your taste and tolerance.

- Sample Fruit-Based Smoothies
1. Blend banana, a sprinkle of cinnamon, applesauce, fruit yogurt, lactose-free milk, and ice.
2. Mix ½ frozen banana, peanut butter or PB fit powder, chocolate protein powder, and your choice of milk (cow, almond, or oat), with optional ice.
3. Combine yogurt or almond milk, frozen berries, frozen kale, banana, and peanut butter or powder; add oatmeal for extra fiber and thickness if desired.

- Sample Green/Vegetable-Focused Smoothies & Alternatives
- Try a summer blend with lettuce, spinach, kale, tomato, cucumber, water, and ice.
- Blend ¼ avocado, a handful of spinach, frozen cauliflower (optional), frozen strawberries, and your choice of milk (oat, almond, or cow), with optional ice.
- For a store-bought option, sip an 8 oz can of regular V8 Juice for vegetable nutrients, fiber, salt, and fluid.
- As a quick alternative, microwave Gerber “2nd Stage” pureed vegetables like carrots, green beans, or peas for a chew-free veggie serving.

- Hydration & Technique Tips
- Keep sipping water throughout the day, as extra fluids and usually more salt are needed (consult your physician).
- Chew solid foods thoroughly to a paste; powerful blenders can mimic this for smoothies, reducing blockage risk.
- Gradually introduce higher-fiber ingredients and monitor your output and skin, as tolerance varies.
- Avoid very sticky peanut butter straight from the spoon or in thick sandwiches, as it can cause blockages; blending with liquid is safer.
- For night-time hydration, drink about 12 oz of water before bed to help the small bowel absorb fluid while lying down.

- General Mindset
- Include flavors you enjoy; recipes are just other people’s taste preferences.
- Be adventurous but listen to your body, as it will guide you.
- Smoothies can help compensate for limited nutrient absorption after colon removal, so investing in high-powered equipment and nutrient-dense ingredients is beneficial.